FILM REVIEW: "The Colour Purple" is a new, powerful, musical twist on a classic film
The full title “The Colour Purple: The film version of the Broadway Musical: Inspired by the 1985 Steven Spielberg movie that was based on the Alice Walker 1982 novel” was unfortunately chopped down by editors, but provides a clear legacy that leads to this film. As my first look at any of the media in The Colour Purple pantheon, I was given a hugely rewarding (and musical) look at the now classic tale of Celie, Shug, Sofia and Nettie and their life in early 20th century Georgia.
Introductions to the characters begin through the introductory song Mysterious Ways, showing the deeply religious and close-knit community of Hartwell, Georgia, where Celie and her sister Nettie work for their abusive father Alfonso. Celie is pregnant against her will for the second time with her Alfonso’s child, and Nettie helps her through another torturous loss when Alfonso takes away her child for adoption again. The sisters dream of escape, and their father ultimately causes this by marrying off Celie to another abusive man ‘Mister’, where Celie and Nettie stay until circumstances pull them apart.
The movie doesn’t pull any punches with its portrayal of poverty, domestic abuse and trauma, but Celie is saved in part from this life by strong women that she comes across; Shug, an independent jazz singer who by chance has a history with Mister, and Sofia, who marries Mister’s son Harpo and teaches her to stand up for herself.
Full of tragedy, loss and sacrifice, The Colour Purple is slow to building any hope for the characters, with years passing before things change. This sudden jumping and pacing of the 40-year saga sometimes detracts from the drama, especially with Danielle Brooks’ character Sofia’s story being glossed over, but the movie is lengthy as it is to tell Celie’s story properly. Celie and Shug’s relationship is also not thoroughly examined, their blossoming friendship only shown in a fantastical, dreamlike sequence and song ‘What About Love?’ that leaves open a lot of questions about their dynamic and sexuality and is just never brought up or shown again.
A lot of the songs in The Colour Purple are already classics amongst Broadway fans: standouts including I’m Here and The Colour Purple. Strong themes of God and religion providing hope in the dark times prevail throughout; traditional choir, Gospel, Rhythm & Blues and Soul music providing much of the soundtrack while still maintaining a Broadway sheen.
An incredibly moving film, the balance between Broadway musical modernity and the authenticity of early 20th-century Black lives is well-wrought. With gorgeous cinematography and musical numbers, emotionally raw performances from all of the main cast, and a story you won’t forget easily, this is not one to miss on the big screen.
On the back of several Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice nominations, The Colour Purple is a harrowing but ultimately uplifting journey that arrives in Australian cinemas everywhere on January 25.
